Chapter 15: New Beginnings

A few things have happened since that day. Kikyo had left the college and transferred to another community college. After he and Inuyasha had broken up. Sesshomaru had resigned as our professor. He continued to ignore my calls and messages when I tried to reach out to him. I would be lying if I said that I wasn't hurt by it, but I understood. I wasn't ready to accept what he was offering then. If not speaking to me helped to lessen his pain… then that was okay. I deserved this treatment anyway. It was just as I kept doing to Inuyasha. He was quickly replaced. His replacement was some older gentleman. He kept me on as his teaching assistant. The rest of the semester went by quickly. Before I knew it was graduation day. It was a bittersweet day. Inuyasha's family came to support me of course. I tried my best to stay away from Inuyasha while he was around. Sango's family had come too but at the end of the day. I was alone again. Sesshomaru didn't show up. Not that I had expected him to.

I had gone back to my place. I went there to pack up the rest of my things. I had been penny-pinching all semester. I managed to get a place in the city. Closer to the new job I had managed to get. I interviewed for it about a month ago. It's a prestigious publishing company; S publishing. I carried the last of my boxes out to the moving truck. I took one last look at my crappy apartment complex and smiled.

"Well, it's been nice, but onto new beginnings."

It had taken me about an hour and a half, to drive into the city. I took another hour to bring everything into my apartment alone. I didn't have money to waste on movers. I had spent the entire day unpacking things and putting things together. Being the penny pincher I am, I had gotten all this furniture for a steal. I had barely spent any of my budget. It felt nice to have a real apartment. An apartment with a living room and a full bathroom. I smiled. I had a new apartment and a new job. All that was left was to get a new car. The last one broke down on me. I was surprised it had lasted as long as it did. Plus, I couldn't just drive the moving truck around forever.

I was finally making some headway in life. I was one step closer to the life I so desperately wanted. I pulled my phone from my pocket and went to my contacts. I looked at Sesshomaru's number. It had been a while since I called it. It was ringing. I could feel my heart pounding. I was afraid that after the third ring. That would be it but I was wrong.

"Hello."

I hadn't heard his voice in months.

"Did you just call to stay silent?"

"Hi." was all I managed to get out.

"Hello, Kagome."

I had to admit I missed the way he said my name.

"Why did you call?" he asked.

I bit the inside of my cheek.

"To be honest. I did not think you would answer my call."

"But I did," he said.

"Now what?" I asked.

That is a question for you to answer. That and a few others. Why did you call me Kagome? Did your boyfriend not live up to your expectations?"

"He is not my boyfriend. He was never my boyfriend."

"Kagome. Why are you calling?" he pressed.

I sucked in a breath.

"Even though I thought you weren't going to pick up. I hoped you would… because I just wanted to speak to you. Even if it was about nothing; just to hear your voice."

Before he could respond I heard another voice in the background. It was a woman's voice. She said his name and something else I couldn't quite make out. I felt a pang in my stomach.

It made sense that he had moved on. I had left him.

"I'm sorry, for taking up your time. Goodbye, Sesshomaru."

I quickly hung up the phone and blocked the number. I didn't want him to call back and explain anything. Of course, he had someone else. Why wouldn't he? It's not that I expected him to wait for me. I didn't buy any of that about him choosing me…right? It was nice to feel wanted… even if it was just for a little while.

I had spent the weekend looking high and low for a new car. There weren't a lot of used car dealerships in the city. There were only the fancy high-priced ones. I had to suck it up and lease a car. The lowest year I could find was 2010; a little black Kia Soul. By god, I was going to make it work. It had a low car note and low insurance; it was perfect.

I fixed my hair in my rearview mirror one last time, before getting out of the car. I closed the door behind me walking up to the building. I had gone out of my way to buy expensive clothes that I shouldn't have. I couldn't help myself. It was my first day and I wanted to look my best while I worked here. I didn't want to look like I didn't belong. I went over to the person at the front desk.

"Hello-"

"Ms. Higurashi I presume," she said without looking at me.

"Yes. That's me."

She handed me an ID. It had my name, a barcode, and a picture I mailed in.

"Enjoy your first day and please head to the first floor on your right."

I headed over to the turnstile scanned my ID card, and went through. I practically skipped over to the elevator pressing the button. I was so excited. I stepped in pressing the last button. I stepped in riding it to the top. The doors opened and my mouth almost dropped open. It was stunning. The entire floor was open. Floor-to-ceiling bookcases. Big windows. All the furniture was perfectly picked out. It was cozy but still professional. I took a few steps looking for the person who was supposed to be my new boss. I could hear footsteps approaching me from behind. I turned around unable to hide my excitement, but my smile dropped as soon as I saw who it was. He was equally as surprised to see me.

"Sessho-Mr. Taisho." I said, still not believing it.

Even after all this time. I still struggled to correct myself.

He cleared his throat.

"Ms. Higurashi. Are you the new editor?"

I nodded. "You didn't know?"

"I am not in charge of hiring."

"I see."

This was starting to get awkward.

"Is this your company?"

He nodded. "Hence the S in S publishing."

I felt like an idiot. "I see, that makes sense now."

The awkward tension between us was so thick. When I looked at him. The only thing I could hear was that woman calling his name. He stepped to the side gesturing to the desk.

"This is where you will sit. New manuscripts will be dropped off to you when needed. There is a list on your desk. It explains how to set up your company email. As well as a chain for your ID card. Do you have any questions?"

Yeah. First question, who was that woman I heard?

I shook my head. "No. At least not at the moment." I lied.

After all, I had no right to be upset about that. He was not mine. Not really.

I had made it to the end of the day, thank God. I thought things would be slow and easy since it was my first day, but now. However, it seems that is not how things are done here as S publishing. Timely and efficiently, Sesshomaru says. He had worked me like a slave and he looked like he was enjoying it. Now, I was sitting at my desk with my head down. I had been off the clock for a few minutes now, but I was mentally preparing myself to get up. I heard someone coming, it was Sesshomaru.

"Is everything alright?"

I nodded and stood.

"Ms. Higurashi."

Last name basis again. I disliked it back then. I still dislike it even now. It didn't matter if we were at work.

"Yes, Mr. Taisho?"

"Unblock my number in case I need to reach you."

I felt my face get hot. I forgot that I had done that. I had not expected to see him again.

"Of course," I said quietly.

I turned and started to walk away.

"Kagome."

I quickly turned to look at him. Before I could answer, someone else came barging in. It was a woman. She was beautiful. No, she was stunning. One of the most beautiful women I had ever seen. Tall, thin, perfect skin. It made sense that a beautiful demoness stood by him. They looked perfect together. Yeah… that's the kind of woman Sesshomaru was supposed to be with. She smiled at him, and even that was perfect.

"Sesshomaru darling!"